Rev. Manasseh Cutler, LL. D. 7
accuracy, the botanical characters of Trees and Plants, but especiallyfor ascertaining those which have already been discovered and de-scribed. I have sent to Europe for several books, and particularly forDr. Hill's Natural History, but none of them could be procured. Ican not find that any of those books, which will be of much advantage,are anywhere in this State, except in the College Library.
"I therefore beg leave to request that your Honorable and Rev-erend Board will grant me the favor of Dr. Hill's Natural Historyfrom the College Library for a short time, and I will be accountable forthe careful usage and safe return of it to the Library again, and willpay whatever sum shall be required for the use of it. Such a favorwill confer a very special Obligation on, Gentlemen,
"Your most obedient and most humble servant,
"M. Cutler."Ipswich, January 18, 1781."
Dr. Cutler, having his manuscript ready, went to Boston, Sep-tember 2, 1785, to meet a Committee of the American Academy ofArts and Sciences, delivered to them his paper, and in 1785 the con-tribution appeared in the transactions of that body. This work isherewith presented in facsimile as Reproduction Bulletin No. 7 of theLloyd Library.
Manasseh Cutler was a man of culture, of affairs, of deecls. Hewas close to all the conspicuous men of Massachusetts in his day, inScience, Religion and Politics, and corresponded with scientists andstatesmen both in America and abroad. Among his botanical corre-spondents and associates were such men as Professor C. S. Rafinesque,Professor B. S. Barton^ Rev. Dr. Muhlenberg, and others of that dateconcerned in American botany. His broadening opportunities and hiseducational principles led him ever to take a patriotic part in the mo-mentous times upon the Colonies at that period, and we accordinglyfind him in the seat of war, helping and preaching among the Colonialtroops. Finally (1787) came the work of his life best known and mostimportant, the "Ohio Company" formed for the purpose of purchas-ing land for a Western Colony. This resulted in the settlement of